NCLEX Review: Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder that affects the central nervous system, and is not contagious or inherited.
• MS can cause muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, and other related symptoms.

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting movement and balance.
• It's caused by a loss of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes memory loss, confusion, and difficulty thinking clearly and concentrating.
• It's thought to be caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins that clump together to form plaques and disrupt cell function.

Huntington's Disease

• Huntington's disease is an inherited genetic disorder affecting muscles and coordination.
• It's caused by a breakdown (degeneration) of the nerve cells of the brain.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• ALS is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and difficulty with movement.
• It's caused by damage to motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

• GBS is an immune reaction that causes paralysis after infection with bacteria or viruses.
• It usually occurs at least two weeks after exposure to an infection somewhere in the body.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Pathophysiology

• MS is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks myelin sheaths, the sheets of fatty tissue around nerve cells.
• Memory trick: MS - Myelin Sheath destruction, MS - Muscle Spasm & Stiffness

Multiple Sclerosis Causes and Risk Factors

• The exact cause of MS is unknown, but researchers believe it may be related to autoimmune disorders.
• Other risk factors include:

Multiple Sclerosis Signs and Symptoms

• Signs and symptoms vary from person to person and typically start gradually and worsen over time.
• The most common first symptom is numbness or tingling in one area of the body (often the toes or fingers).
• Other initial symptoms include:
• As MS progresses, symptoms can include:

Multiple Sclerosis Client Education and Nursing Interventions

• Nurses must educate clients about managing their own care due to the wide range of symptoms.
• Clients may need more assistance or awareness of their specific needs.

Multiple Sclerosis Medications (Pharmacology)

• Cyclosporine is a crucial immunosuppressant that prevents the release of cytokines.
• It works by inhibiting calcineurin, an enzyme that activates T-cells.
• Cyclosporine is not safe for pregnant clients.
• Azathioprine is a medication used to treat organ transplant recipients, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis.
• It works by suppressing the immune system, which means it blocks certain cells from attacking healthy tissue.
• Mechanism of action for Azathioprine includes:
• Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) is a blood product used to treat primary immunodeficiency disorders.